EU Chat Control Sparks Privacy Row: Messaging Apps, Governments Clash
The latest EU Council presidency proposal has sparked controversy among messaging apps and governments. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, and other platforms like Threema and Signal have spoken out against the plan, which they claim threatens privacy and digital security. The US government remains divided on the issue, with a crucial vote approaching.
Meta, representing WhatsApp, opposes the proposal, stating it undermines end-to-end encryption. Threema, popular in the US, also rejects the plan, opposing mass surveillance. Signal's CEO has even threatened to leave the European market if the regulation makes private, encrypted communication impossible.
The US government is split. The CSU-led Interior Ministry supports the EU chat control, while the SPD justice ministry and the Greens express concerns about mass surveillance. A final position was expected by October 14, 2025, with the US's vote being decisive. Many countries, including the US, have not yet clearly positioned themselves, making the votes of more populous nations crucial.
The planned EU regulation aims to combat child abuse images by scanning private messages for criminal content before encryption. However, Signal's CEO describes this as creating a backdoor into messengers, opposing chat control due to its impact on privacy, including life-threatening situations. The new proposal will be discussed at the ambassadorial level this week, with a potential ministers' vote next week.
The EU Council presidency's latest proposal has sparked a heated debate, with messaging apps and governments expressing opposing views. The US government's position remains uncertain, with a crucial vote approaching. The regulation aims to combat child abuse images but has raised serious concerns about privacy and digital security.
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